Ex-Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has emerged as a leading candidate for Stoke City as they continue their search for a new manager.

The news comes as former favourite for the job, Gary Rowett signed a new contract at Derby County.

Flores, who is now manager of Espanyol in La Liga, left the Hornets in 2016 after a 13th placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 15: A Watford fan displays a farewell message for Quique Flores, manager of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Sunderland at Vicarage Road on May 15, 2016 in Watford, England.

The 52-year-old is under contract in Spain until 2019 and despite reports that he was travelling to Stoke, he is on his way to Valencia where his side play Levante in the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening.

The odds have significantly shortened on Flores heading to the the bet365 Stadium; from 8-1 to 2-1.

He guided the Catalan team to eighth place last season, one shy of European qualification and the club lie 13th in La Liga at the moment.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Quique Sanchez Flores of RCD Espanyol argues with the assistant referee after Gerard Moreno of RCD Espanyol (not in picture) scored a disallowed goal during the La Liga match between Espanyol and Levante at Cornella-El Prat stadium on October 13, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

It is a tumultuous time behind the scenes as president Chen Yansheng sacked chief executive Ramon Robert this week.

Martin O'Neill remains the bookies favourite however, trading around evens, and Slaven Bilic is at 3/1.